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Toronto Raptors Pick up Team Option for Backup Forward Before Free Agency Begins
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- Toronto Raptors Pick up Team Option for Backup Forward Before Free Agency Begins
NBA free agency is set to begin tomorrow night, and the Toronto Raptors have their sights on improving the roster to win their first playoff series since the Bubble in 2020. Now that the draft is over, general manager Bobby Webster is focused on re-signing players from last season, finding new players to attract, and searching for players to trade for.
After a quiet Feb. 5 trade deadline, rumors are again starting to pick up. The Raptors were linked to multiple stars like Domantas Sabonis , Anthony Davis , and Jaren Jackson Jr. , but ultimately nothing major transpired because of the desire to retain chemistry for the rest of the season. Now in the offseason, superstars like Kawhi Leonard and Jaylen Brown are being mentioned as targets for Toronto.
Toronto Raptors forward/center Collin Murray-Boyles (12) and Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Before those blockbuster deals commence, it's important for Webster and the Raptors to figure out whose team options they will be picking up. They opted into third-year guard Jamal Shead 's contract on Thursday, and now this morning they made another key decision.
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Going into his first full season with the franchise, the Raptors have picked up the team option on forward/center Trayce Jackson-Davis . Coming over from the Golden State Warriors at the deadline, the former Indiana Hoosier played limited minutes in the second half of the season as Toronto eyed its first postseason appearance since 2022. He will continue to serve as a backup in the frontcourt on a $2.4 million deal for the 2026-27 season.
The Raptors will continue to look for depth options at both the point guard and center positions. Shead has a consistent role as the backup point guard, but they need another scoring option to help nullify the stagnation of the halfcourt offense. As for the center position, Toronto needs more physicality in the paint. Jackson-Davis thrives in this setting, but unfortunately lacks the size to really compete with high-level bigs in the NBA.
Today is also the deadline for Jonathan Mogbo 's team option with the Raptors. The third-year forward from the University of San Francisco also had very limited minutes this season, but could be a great option moving forward as a backup wing. He could be a nice addition to any trade for a superstar as well, as selling teams are often looking for young players with potential. These next two days should be action-packed, as once free agency starts, Webster should have his full attention locked in to acquiring championship-level role players to boost the franchise into NBA Finals contention.
